Countless articles have been written in the Opinion page about open burning but to date, I do not recall any reply by relevant authorities.

Brunei attends regional summits, meetings and so forth together with other Asean countries to talk about the fight against the haze but in our own country, nothing is being done against members of the public who do their bit to contribute to this environmental hazard.

Members of the public against open burning have pleaded for some sort of enforcement or law to be put in place against open burning together with a number where complaints against offenders can be lodged. But there has been no such enforcement, no offenders have been fined and no number has been given.

Over the weekend, there was a forest fire through Berakas and as the fire fighters fought to put this out, residents in the neighbouring perpindahan areas burned their rubbish away merrily, adding to the thick fumes.

As the dry spell sets in, early in the morning and towards the late afternoon, wherever you go, you can observe individuals burning their rubbish.

For some reason they just have to burn and enjoy it with no regard for their neighbours, children around the neighbourhood and the environment. Perhaps this uncivic minded attitude stems from examples set by certain authorities. For example, the other day, on the last day of school, I observed a school that was carrying out a gotong royong clean up.

Needless to say, we can only guess what they did with all the rubbish- yes, a big bonfire. If schools teach children to open burn, then they will carry on with this habit and in generations to come, we will still be talking about open burning.

On another occasion, I observed some council workers clearing the gardens at one of the roundabouts in the capital and the leaves collected, branches chopped and other bits of rubbish was set alight there and then.

Then and again, the huge garbage dumping ground in Sungai Akar is also lit up now and again. Over at Shahbandar, where many go for healthy walks, open burning is carried out at the foot of the hills for all to inhale the fumes.

My neighbours burn openly on a daily basis and my children cannot enjoy playing in our garden as it is often enveloped with smoke.

At the same time, when we hang out our laundry, we have to find a good time when our neighbours are not burning. Is there is a number we can call to make complaints and will appropriate action be taken i.e. relevant authorities come around to fine the offenders?

I do hope that this problem is seriously looked into as not only is it an environmental hazard but a health one as well.

- Anti-Smoky Robinson

I read an opinion about credit in Malay in the Weekend, March 19, 2005.

I, being one of the victims who didn't get a credit in Malay, totally support what was said.

I am now currently waiting for a response from the ministry of education whether I could enroll in Syaiddina Ali (SA) with just a pass in Malay too but it seems like the MOE has not taken any action.

My other friends have already started school for like three weeks and I am sitting at home waiting for a reply.

Please at least give me an answer whether I am rejected or accepted.

What am I going to do this whole year if I couldn't get enrolled into SA?

Can someone please advise me?

I have more credits than the conditions needed to enroll into SA.

I really don't understand why we can't enroll into form 6 with a pass in Malay and we would re-sit for Malay during June to achieve a credit just like the English language.

Wouldn't it be just the same?

I really hope to study in form 6 and promise to work hard.

- Hopeless

With reference to letter "Waiting To Get Paid For Exam Duty" written by Teachers-Want-To-Know published in Borneo Bulletin on March 9, 2005, the concerned teachers are advised to refer to their respective school principals regarding the above matter as instructions had been issued by the Department of Examination, Ministry of Education.

- Public Relations Unit
- 4th Floor, Block B
- Ministry of Education
- Old Airport Road, Berakas BB3510

The Department of Forestry would like to refer to a comment published in the Borneo Bulletin on Wednesday, March 16,2005, entitled "Good manners wanting at forest reserve".

The Forestry Department wishes to extend its apology to the disappointed Beach Goers for the incident that had occurred a week ago. A full investigation had been carried out at the Berakas Forest Recreation Park as time-specified mentioned in the earlier article published.

However, no reports of a 'family' leaving the park last/late were identified.

The last persons to leave the park were a couple that had been given fair warning to leave the premises, but refused to co-operate.

The time of incident was around the Maghrib prayer, and as a Muslim, such time need to be respected.

Initial warning sign to indicate closing time to people in the park had been the use of flashing torchlight as mentioned.

This had been practiced long-term, and is observed by all park users, locals and foreigners, until now.

As initial warning was unheeded by the couple, the calling of "HHUU HHUU" is a standard calling in a forest as another sign of warning.

The park rangers on duty were unable to make a personal call to the last couple as they needed to continue their routine in the park to ensure there were no other people in the park as it was getting dark and could lead to people getting lost in the forest.

For clarification, Berakas Forest Recreation Park closes at 6:30 pm, and all park-goers are invited to leave the premises at thetime mentioned to ensure safety for all.

Park rangers will check every check points in the park to ensure no one is left in the park, and will give warnings as necessary to let park-goers of time to go.

Any further enquires or complaints regarding any of the department's parks, the public are welcomed to write to the following email addresses; forestrybrunei@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your concern.

We hope, we have been helpful in addressing matters raised.

- Forestry Department
- Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
- Jalan Menteri Besar
- Negara Brunei Darussalam

I totally agree with Bukit Shahbandar fan's opinion. A lot, if not all of us go to Bukit Shahbandar to trek/run the jungle trail.

Maybe there are 1 or 2 parts of the trail that needs attention but surely not by laying CONCRETE steps!

We go there to enjoy the jungle trail, not to walk on concrete steps.

For those who enjoy walking/running on concrete steps there is always the multi-storey carpark in BSB.

- Annoyed Jungle Trekker

We would really appreciate it if the Brunei Telecommunication Department concerned could make the SMS contacts eligible with Australian hand phones.

This innovation would not only be beneficial towards the Bruneians but also to many others.

This uniformity has made life very trying for us to communicate with our son who is currently studying at Monash University, Melbourne as well as for himself and the many Bruneians who are learning or residing over there too.

We have been struggling to keep in constant contact with our son ever since he started his studies abroad in Australia.

Being old-fashioned, above middle-aged parents, we are shamelessly illiterate with computers and hence find it very tough and troublesome to even use the computer, what more to compose an e-mail.

On the other hand, we are familiar with the use of a telephone.

But there are occasions when we would rather SMS than make a phone call for trifle yet relevant, slight yet significant matters.

As this is the third child sent abroad, we are facing financial burden and therefore, do not wish to spend so much money and time to conduct a call to convey a few words which can be efficiently and effortlessly be sent as an SMS. Please make this adjustment a reality. We would be sincerely grateful if the concerned department could look into this matter and make amendments to ease our hectic lives.

- Anxious Parents

I am sure the drivers who take the Seria/Anduki/Lumut road daily would agree that the Garbage Truck operator who runs a fleet of "White" garbage trucks should reschedule their fleet mobilisation to a different time other than the morning and mid-day day rush hour!

Everyday while we are in a rush to take our children to and from school while struggling to reach our places of work on time, along comes a fleet of huge white garbage trucks moving at snail pace and stressfully slowing everyone down!

Some impatient drivers put themselves and other road users in grave danger by overtaking on these busy single carriageway roads.

We do understand however that we need these services to help keep our villages and towns clean. But please consider to reschedule your operating hours to less busy hours of the day.

- Shriek Too

A few days ago a short rainfall produced a small flood between Spg's 116 and 162 at the bottom of the hill.

A new unbroken kerbline has been installed and is waiting for a new tarmac road surfacing but there do not appear to be any storm drains to let the water out.

Have JKR and the Drainage Dept discovered a new drainage technology that they are waiting to show for the next rainy-season?

- Puddled